1st December Palestinian rally Sydney. Also West Papuan national flag day. The link, Palestine, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander struggle , West Papua is settler colonialism.
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Saturday, November 30, 2024
1) West Papua: Once was Papuan Independence Day, now deforested, population diluted
2) TPNPB claims to have shot dead Brimob members in Tambrauw, West Papua Police deny fatalities
3) TPNPB Urges XXXVI Kodap to Celebrate Papua's Independence Day with Military Ceremony
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1) West Papua: Once was Papuan Independence Day, now deforested, population diluted
On Papuan Independence Day we discuss protests against Indonesia’s transmigration programme, environmental destruction, militarisation, and the struggle for self-determination.
On December 1, 1961, West Papua’s national flag, known as the Morning Star, was raised for the first time as a declaration of West Papua’s independence from the Netherlands.
Sixty-three years later, West Papua is claimed by and occupied by Indonesia, which has banned the flag, which still carries aspirations for self-determination and liberation.
The flag continues to be raised globally on December 1 each year on what is still called “Papuan Independence Day”.
Island-wide protests
This was announced a day after he came into power on October 21 and confirmed fears from West Papuans about Subianto’s rise to power.
This is because Subianto is a former general known for a trail of allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses in West Papua and East Timor to his name.
Transmigration’s role
The transmigration programme began before Indonesia gained Independence from the Dutch colonial government, intended to reduce “overcrowding” in Java and to provide a workforce for plantations in Sumatra.
After independence ended and under Indonesian rule, the programme expanded and in 1969 transmigration to West Papua was started.
This was also the year of the controversial “Act of Free Choice” where a small group of Papuans were coerced by Indonesia into a unanimous vote against their independence.
In 2001 the state-backed transmigration programme ended but, by then, over three-quarters of a million Indonesians had been relocated to West Papua. Although the official transmigration stopped, migration of Indonesians continued via agriculture and development projects.
Indonesia has also said transmigration helps with cultural exchange to unite the West Papuans so they are one nation: Indonesian.
West Papuan human rights activist Rosa Moiwend said in the 1980s Indonesians used the language of “humanising West Papuans” through erasing their indigenous identity.
“It’s a racist kind of thing because they think West Papuans were not fully human,” Moiwend said.
Pathway to environmental destruction
Papuans believe this was to dilute the Indigenous Melanesian population, and to secure the control of their natural resources, to conduct mining, oil and gas extraction and deforestation.
This is because in the past the transmigration programme was tied to agricultural settlements where, following the deforestation of conservation forests, Indonesian migrants worked on agricultural projects such as rice fields and palm oil plantations.
Octo Mote is the vice-president of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). Earlier this year Te Ao Māori News interviewed Mote on the “ecocide and genocide” and the history of how Indonesia gained power over West Papua.
The ecology in West Papua was being damaged by mining, deforestation, and oil and gas extraction, he said. Mote said Indonesia wanted to “wipe them from the land and control their natural resources”.
He emphasised that defending West Papua meant defending the world, because New Guinea had the third-largest rainforest after the Amazon and Congo and was crucial for climate change mitigation as they sequester and store carbon.
Concerns grow over militarisation
Moiwend said the other concern right now was the National Strategic Project which developed projects to focus on Indonesian self-sufficiency in food and energy.
Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) started in 2011, so isn’t a new project, but it has failed to deliver many times and was described by Global Atlas of Environmental Justice as a “textbook land grab”.
The mega-project includes the deforestation of a million hectares for rice fields and an additional 600,000 hectares for sugar cane plantations that will be used to make bioethanol.
The project is managed by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Agriculture, and the private company, Jhonlin Group, owned by Haji Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad. Ironically, given the project has been promoted to address climate issues, Arsyad is a coal magnate, a primary industry responsible for man-made climate change.
Recently, the Indonesian government announced the deployment of five military battalions to the project site.
Conservation news website Mongabay reported that the villages in the project site had a population of 3000 people whereas a battalion consisted of usually 1000 soldiers, which meant there would be more soldiers than locals and the villagers said it felt as if their home would be turned into a “war zone”.
Merauke is where Moiwend’s village is and many of her cousins and family are protesting and, although there haven’t been any incidents yet, with increased militarisation she feared for the lives of her family as the Indonesian military had killed civilians in the past.
Destruction of spiritual ancestors
The destruction of the environment was also the killing of their dema {spiritual ancestors}, she said.
The dema represented and protected different components of nature, with a dema for fish, the sago palm, and the coconut tree.
Traditionally when planting taro, kumara or yam, they chanted and sang for the dema of those plants to ensure an abundant harvest.
Moiwend said they connected to their identity through calling on the name of the dema that was their totem.
She said her totem was the coconut and when she needed healing she would find a coconut tree, drink coconut water, and call to the dema for help.
There were places where the dema lived that humans were not meant to enter but many sacred forests had been deforested.
She said the Indonesians had destroyed their food sources, their connection to their spirituality as well destroying their humanity.
“Anim Ha means the great human being,” she said, “to become a great human being you have to have a certain quality of life, and one quality of life is the connection to your dema, your spiritual realm.”
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A Google translate.
Originan Bahasa link
2) TPNPB claims to have shot dead Brimob members in Tambrauw, West Papua Police deny fatalities
Last updated: November 30, 2024 10:28 pm
Author: Adlu Rahusun
Editor: Edho Sinaga
Manokwari, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed responsibility for the attack on a Brimob patrol vehicle of the West Papua Police in Bamusbama District, Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua, Saturday (11/30/2024). This statement was conveyed by the TPNPB Spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, through a press release received by Jubi.
Sebby Sambom stated that the attack was carried out by the Tambrauw Defense Area Command 33 and succeeded in killing three Brimob members, and injuring one other.
"TPNPB OPM Kodap 33 RuMana Tambrauw troops attacked a Hilux type Police patrol car that was patrolling from Fef to Sausapor District," said Sambom.
According to him, the attack was led by First Lieutenant Marthen Faan, on the orders of the TPNPB Regional Commander of Kodap 33 RuMana, Brigadier General Finsen Frabuku, together with Deputy Commander Leonardo Syufi. Sambom said the action was a form of resistance against the presence of the Indonesian military in West Papua.
"We will continue to fight for the right to independence of West Papua until the goal of being free from Indonesian colonialism is achieved," said Sambom.
In addition, Sambom asked for the attention of the international community to the violations allegedly committed by the Indonesian military in the West Papua region.
Head of Public Relations of the West Papua Police, Senior Commissioner Ongky Isgunawan, denied the claim. According to him, the shooting incident did occur, but there were no fatalities.
“BKO Brimob personnel from Tambrauw Police were conducting a routine patrol from Fef to Bamusbama Village. Approximately 342 meters from the Bamusbama District Office, a shooting occurred by an unknown person (OTK). The personnel returned fire and conducted a search, but the perpetrator fled towards the forest,” explained Senior Commissioner Ongky in his press statement.
He added that the bullet only hit the back of the Brimob patrol car.
“We will continue to pursue groups that try to disrupt security stability in the Tambrauw jurisdiction,” said Ongky.
Senior Commissioner Ongky appealed to the public to remain calm and not easily believe conflicting information regarding the incident.
“Let us maintain a conducive security and public order (kamtibmas) situation. If there is any suspicious activity, report it to us immediately,” he appealed.
The West Papua Police confirmed that they will continue to increase patrols and sweeps to ensure security in the area. (*)
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A Google translate.
Originan Bahasa link
3) TPNPB Urges XXXVI Kodap to Celebrate Papua's Independence Day with Military Ceremony
Penulis Suara Papua - 1 Dec 2024, 2:09 WP
JAYAPURA, SUARAPAPUA.com— The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) appealed to the TPNPB in the XXXVI Regional Defense Command (Kodap) throughout Papua, the Papuan people, diplomats and all Free Papua fighters to celebrate Independence Day as the embryo of the Papuan nation on December 1, 2024.
The statement was conveyed by Sebby Sambom, TPNPB Spokesperson on behalf of the Supreme Commander of the TPNPB - Free Papua Organization (OPM), General Goliat Tabuni in his statement on November 30, 2024.
"December 1 is the independence day of the Papuan nation through the fulfillment of all the requirements for establishing a country. So we, on behalf of the Supreme Commander of the TPNPB Free Papua Organization, appeal to all of us to continue to celebrate our independence day of the Papuan nation.”
So without reducing the enthusiasm, this year we will still celebrate as usual in every command headquarters with an official military ceremony," explained Sebby Sambom, TPNPB Spokesperson in his statement on November 30, 2024.
Meanwhile, Sambom said, the celebration of the Papuan nation's anniversary in other places can be carried out in any form that is mutually agreed upon by all components of the Papuan people.
"We have an obligation to respect our right to independence. We will continue to realize independence.”
On this occasion, we convey that Indonesia's occupation of Papua is still illegal, because the establishment of Papuan independence on December 1 is based on the UN charter to grant independence to colonized nations throughout the world. Therefore, it is legal and guaranteed by international law," said Sambom.
He called on the Papuan people and fighters to remain enthusiastic and continue to celebrate December 1 as independence day.
"The question of when it will be recognized will be realized through the struggle of all of us, both through lobbying, campaigning and through struggles in the field," he said.
On that occasion, Sambom also emphasized that the party firmly rejected Jakarta's program to bring transmigration to Papua.
"We also reject the transmigration program to Papua. The Papuan people should stop submitting to Jakarta's policies, but are ready to continue to resist. Papuan youth should prepare themselves to carry out a total revolution in the near future," he said.
Sambom said this because Indonesia's occupation of Papua is illegal, so they must fight and remove Indonesia from the illegally annexed Papua," he concluded.
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Friday, November 29, 2024
1) Photos of West Papuan Flag raising in Sydney
1) Photos of West Papuan Flag raising in Sydney
2) Solidarity shown to West Papua as Indonesia continues to attack independence mov’t
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(Note. Although 1st December is West Papua’s national flag day.
AWPA raised the flag on the Leichhardt Town Hall today, 29 November as council will be closed on the 1st Dec.). Thanks to Council for their support (the 18th year in a row).
Flag raising on YouTube
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Green Left
Solidarity shown to West Papua as Indonesia continues to attack independence mov’t
Isaac Nellist November 29, 2024Issue 1420News
Showing solidarity with West Papua's struggle for self-determination in Leichhardt on November 29. Photo: Australia-West Papua Assocation
The Australia West Papua Association (AWPA) and supporters raised the West Papua flag at Leichhardt Town Hall on November 29, to show their solidarity with West Papuan’s struggle for self-determination.
This year’s National Flag day, on December 1, marks the 63rd anniversary of the first official flying of the Morning Star flag, in 1961, in the then Dutch colony of Netherlands New Guinea.
“The Dutch were prepared to give West Papuans their freedom. It is one of the great tragedies that their freedom was cruelly crushed, when West Papua was handed to Indonesia in 1963,” AWPA’s Joe Collins said. “It was a betrayal of a whole people.”
Sixty-three years later, while the West Papuan people maintain their right to self-determination, human rights abuses continue and the security situation in the territory continues to deteriorate.
West Papua's flag is raised at Leichhardt Town Hall, November 29. Photo: Australia West Papua Association
“There are ongoing clashes between the security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army, with casualties on both sides. West Papuans continue to be arrested, intimated and killed by the security forces,” Collins said.
He said of military operations over the past few years, in which villagers houses have been burned means there are large numbers of internal refugees.
Human Rights Monitor said in its September update that more than 79,867 people in West Papua remain internally displaced.
“Many of these people live without government aid because of the ongoing conflict between the West Papua National Liberation Army and Indonesian security forces, which makes the delivery of aid very difficult.”
Collins said the election of President Prabowo Subianto who, as a former General under Suharto’s regime, presided over Indonesia’s human rights abuses in East Timor, is a major concern for West Papuans.
Collins said just days after Prabowo’s inauguration, he announced plans to resume Indonesia’s transmigration program in eastern Indonesia, particularly in Papua.
Prabowo said it was would enhance unity and provide locals with welfare. Collins said transmigration means West Papuans are in danger of becoming a minority in their own land.
“Protests against the reintroduction of the transmigration program are happening in West Papua.” Collins said “we can’t expect to see a change in the Indonesian security force approach” given that Prabowo is a former general.
Indonesia’s Armed Forces Commander General Agus Subiyanto established five new infantry battalions in October, which will be deployed in “conflict-prone” areas of Papua. Their mission will be to forcibly support the government’s efforts in the eastern region of Indonesia.
“The military will probably be used in forcible land acquisitions for its large planned food estates, such as sugar cane, palm oil and rice farms. This will also lead to the destruction of tropical rainforests, biodiversity and customary land.”
Two million hectares of forests, wetlands and grasslands in Merauke district will be razed to make way for a cluster of giant sugarcane plantations, part of the Indonesian government’s efforts to boost domestic sugar production, Collins said.
There is also the danger of conflict between the migrants, backed by the military, and local Papuan land owners.
Meanwhile, Australia continues to increase defence ties with the Indonesian military. Collins said Australia had given “no thought” to Indonesia’s crackdowns on peaceful West Papua demonstrators or that activists are “regularly arrested and intimidated”.
“The West Papuan people are calling on the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory. Australia should urge Jakarta to allow such a visit to take place. It would be small step that would benefit the West Papuan people,” Collins said.
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Thursday, November 28, 2024
West Papuan flag raising -Sydney
Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
West Papuan flag raising -Sydney
Statement. 29 November 2024
(Note. Although 1st December is West Papua’s national flag day. AWPA will raise the flag on the Leichhardt Town Hall on Friday 29 Nov. as council will be closed on the 1st Dec.)
The 1st December is West Papuan National Flag day or National day.
This year is the 63rd anniversary of the first official flying of the Morning Star flag in 1961, in the then Dutch colony of Netherlands New Guinea.
As the Dutch prepared to give the West Papuan people their freedom, it is one of the great tragedies that at their moment of freedom it was cruelly crushed and West Papua was basically handed over to Indonesia in 1963 by the international community. A betrayal of a whole people.
Sixty-three years later, the West Papuan people are still struggling for their right to self-determination.
And the human rights abuses continue today.
The situation in the territory continues to deteriorate. There are ongoing clashes between the security forces and the TPNPB, with casualties on both sides.
West Papuans continue to be arrested, intimated and killed by the security forces. A number of military operations have taken place in the past few years. During these operations house are burned causing villagers to flee, traumatised and in fear for their lives.
These military operations have also created large numbers of internal refugees. Human rights monitor in a recent report said that there are over 79,000 IDPs in West Papua . Many of the IDPs remain without government aid because of the ongoing conflict between the TPNPB and the security forces which make aid delivery difficult
The election of President Prabowo (who has been accused of human rights abuses during his time in East Timor) is of major concern amongst West Papuans. Just days after his inauguration, it was announced for plans to resume the transmigration program in eastern Indonesia, particularly in Papua. A statement said it was needed for enhancing unity and providing locals with welfare. In fact, transmigration is a great danger for West Papuans who are in danger of becoming a minority in their own land. Protests against the reintroduction of the program have already taken place in West Papua.
The Indonesian military has always used a security force approach to incidents in Papua and with Prabowo being ex-military, we can’t expect to see any change from this security force approach.
In October the Armed Forces Commander General Agus Subiyanto established five new infantry battalions to be deployed in conflict-prone areas of Papua. The primary mission of these battalions is to maintain security and support the government’s development efforts in the eastern region of Indonesia.
https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesian-military-establishes-five-new-battalions-for-papua-security
The military will probably be used in the land acquisitions required for the large planned food estates such as sugar cane, palm oil and rice farms , which will also lead to the destruction of tropical rainforests, biodiversity and customary land.
A total of 2 million hectares (5 million acres) of forests, wetlands and grasslands in Merauke district will be razed to make way for a cluster of giant sugarcane plantations, part of the Indonesian government’s efforts to boost domestic sugar production.
There is also the danger of conflict between the migrants (backed by the military) and local Papuan land owners.
Joe Collins of AWPA said,
"Meanwhile, Australia continues to increase defence ties with the Indonesian military with no thought to the fact that there is an ongoing conflict in West Papua or that there are regular crackdowns on peaceful demonstrations with West Papuan activists regularly arrested and intimidated".
Australian soldiers instruct Indonesian personnel in the use of the EF88 Austeyr rifle as part of Exercise Keris Woomera.(Supplied: Department of Defence)
and
"The West Papuan people are calling on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory. The Australian Government should urge Jakarta to allow such a visit to take place. A small step that would benefit the West Papuan people".
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Wednesday, November 27, 2024
1) Indonesia’s new government pushes transmigration plan, stirring protests in Papua
2) Indonesian warship completes humanitarian mission in Pacific countries
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(Note. X tweets in report)
1) Indonesia’s new government pushes transmigration plan, stirring protests in Papua
The policy displaces and disenfranchises Indigenous Papuans
Written by Mong Palatino
Posted 27 November 2024 0:00 GMT
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who assumed office on October 20, 2024, has announced the revival of the transmigration program, which encourages citizens to populate the country’s eastern region, including Papua — a province on the Easternmost side of the archipelago that has been fighting for independence from Java for decades. The Indonesian government said it seeks to promote the “people’s welfare,” but critics warn that the plan could further displace the Indigenous Papuan population.
Papua was annexed by Indonesia in 1963, but this was fiercely resisted by the local population and a self-determination movement continues to exist up to this day.
Indigenous Papuans have diverging ethnic roots from Javanese Indonesians as well as unique cultural traditions and histories. Papuans have long faced racism, discrimination, violence, and displacement from Indonesia, which has fought to keep the resource-rich province.
In an effort to further gain control of Papua and quash any rebellion movements, between 1964 and 1999, the government implemented a transmigration program that facilitated the resettlement of 78,000 families from Indonesia’s densely populated islands, such as Java and Sumatra, to Papua. During this period, witnesses testifiedthat “customary land was taken (and) forests were cut down” while the Indigenous Malind people were prohibited from speaking their native language. The program was paused in 2001, but unofficial transmigration has persisted.
In recent years, Indonesia escalated its military deployment, which led to intense clashes and militarization of communities. According to the United Nations, between 60,000 and 100,000 Papuans were affected by these operations.
Prabowo, a former military officer accused of abducting activists, was the son-in-law of the president who initiated the transmigration program. A few days after his inauguration, he visited Papua to check the progress in developing food estates intended to address the country’s food security. However, some Papuan groups have decried it as a deforestation program that threatens the region’s biodiversity and displaces local villagers.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua highlighted the link between the transmigration revival and the forced conversion of forests into agricultural plantations:
It is not a coincidence Prabowo has announced a new transmigration programme at the same time as their ecocidal deforestation regime intensifies. These twin agenda represent the two sides of Indonesian colonialism in West Papua: exploitation and settlement. Indonesia only wants West Papua’s resources; they do not want our people.
The group’s leader saluted the Papuan students who organized protests against the transmigration policy:
Civil society group Civicus has monitored that attacks against peaceful protests in Papua have intensified ahead of Prabowo’s inauguration.
Papuan activists were shot at, faced intimidation for their advocacy as well as harassment and ill-treatment for their activism. Attacks and killing of journalists has persisted, including in Papua.
In addition, five new battalions were deployed, and at least 2,000 troops were sent to Papua in September and October.
Father John Bunay, chairman of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of Jayapura diocese, sounded alarm over the seizure of lands in Papua. “There are so many migrants coming to Papua. There has been a seizure of living space from the indigenous Papuan people by non-Papuans.”
The International Parliamentarians for West Papua has called on the Indonesian government to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to check the situation in Papua. The group also criticized the potential negative impact of reviving the transmigration program.
The aim of transmigration was to dilute the Indigenous Melanesian population, while securing control of West Papua’s rich natural resource base.
Transmigration has produced structural discrimination in education, land rights, and employment. There is a high level of income and wealth inequality between Papuans and Indonesians, while migrants dominate the labour market.
But Transmigration Minister Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara asserted that the program will not simply relocate people but “enhance the quality of human resources through socio-cultural approaches.” He added:
Our main focus is no longer merely the relocation of people, a measure misinterpreted as transferring poverty from one place to another in the past. Instead, we will exert all-out efforts to alleviate poverty, boosting people's welfare.
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2) Indonesian warship completes humanitarian mission in Pacific countries
November 27, 2024 15:54 GMT+700
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian warship, KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991, has successfully carried out humanitarian mission in South Pacific countries, including the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea.
The warship, which is part of the 2024 Pacific Port Visit Task Force, completed its mission in 48 days of sailing since October 9, 2024.
KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991 was returned to its headquarters in Sorong, Southwest Papua, on Monday (Nov 25), according to Head of the Information Service of the Indonesian Navy's III Fleet Command Lieutenant Colonel (S) Ajik Sismianto.
The arrival of the 2024 Pacific Port Visit Task Force, which sailed along KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo, was welcomed by Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy's III Fleet Command First Admiral TNI Singgih Sugiarto and Head of the Southwest Papua Transportation Agency Victor F. Salosa at the Indonesian Navy Main Base XIV Sorong Pier.
"Thank you to all soldiers of the 2024 Pacific Port Visit Task Force who have shown extraordinary dedication, discipline, and fighting spirit,” First Admiral Sugiarto stated while reading a speech of the Indonesian Navy's III Fleet Commander Rear Admiral TNI Hersan during the welcoming ceremony.
According to Rear Admiral Hersan, the goodwill and humanitarian mission to the four Pacific countries aimed to support Indonesia’s foreign policy and was part of the efforts to protect national interests abroad.
"This activity is also expected to support confidence-building measures with countries in the South Pacific and emphasize Indonesia's presence in the South Pacific region," he noted.
In the four South Pacific countries, the Pacific Port Visit Task Force conducted various activities, including providing free health check-up and medical treatment services on board and handing over medical aid packages from the Indonesian government to the governments of each respective country.
Such momentum was also utilized to introduce the Indonesian-made hospital support ship KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991, hold a reception on board and meet with Indonesian partners in each destination country.
“While carrying out their duties, the Pacific Port Visit Task Force has provided professional medical services—and they have worked wholeheartedly. They have become the spearhead of Indonesia's humanitarian diplomacy abroad," he remarked.
During a humanitarian mission to four countries in the South Pacific, the Indonesian warship transported all 177 task force personnel, comprising 141 ship crew as well as 36 task force staff, including the diving team, security forces, general practitioners and specialist doctors, students from Papua, and information officers.
Related news: WSH-991 warship docks at Port Moresby for humanitarian mission
Related news: Indonesian warship WSH-991 begins goodwill mission in Solomon Islands
Related news: Navy warship transporting Eid travelers arrives in Jakarta
The warship, which is part of the 2024 Pacific Port Visit Task Force, completed its mission in 48 days of sailing since October 9, 2024.
KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991 was returned to its headquarters in Sorong, Southwest Papua, on Monday (Nov 25), according to Head of the Information Service of the Indonesian Navy's III Fleet Command Lieutenant Colonel (S) Ajik Sismianto.
The arrival of the 2024 Pacific Port Visit Task Force, which sailed along KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo, was welcomed by Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy's III Fleet Command First Admiral TNI Singgih Sugiarto and Head of the Southwest Papua Transportation Agency Victor F. Salosa at the Indonesian Navy Main Base XIV Sorong Pier.
"Thank you to all soldiers of the 2024 Pacific Port Visit Task Force who have shown extraordinary dedication, discipline, and fighting spirit,” First Admiral Sugiarto stated while reading a speech of the Indonesian Navy's III Fleet Commander Rear Admiral TNI Hersan during the welcoming ceremony.
According to Rear Admiral Hersan, the goodwill and humanitarian mission to the four Pacific countries aimed to support Indonesia’s foreign policy and was part of the efforts to protect national interests abroad.
"This activity is also expected to support confidence-building measures with countries in the South Pacific and emphasize Indonesia's presence in the South Pacific region," he noted.
In the four South Pacific countries, the Pacific Port Visit Task Force conducted various activities, including providing free health check-up and medical treatment services on board and handing over medical aid packages from the Indonesian government to the governments of each respective country.
Such momentum was also utilized to introduce the Indonesian-made hospital support ship KRI dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo-991, hold a reception on board and meet with Indonesian partners in each destination country.
“While carrying out their duties, the Pacific Port Visit Task Force has provided professional medical services—and they have worked wholeheartedly. They have become the spearhead of Indonesia's humanitarian diplomacy abroad," he remarked.
During a humanitarian mission to four countries in the South Pacific, the Indonesian warship transported all 177 task force personnel, comprising 141 ship crew as well as 36 task force staff, including the diving team, security forces, general practitioners and specialist doctors, students from Papua, and information officers.
Related news: WSH-991 warship docks at Port Moresby for humanitarian mission
Related news: Indonesian warship WSH-991 begins goodwill mission in Solomon Islands
Related news: Navy warship transporting Eid travelers arrives in Jakarta
Translator: Genta Tenri Mawangi , Yashinta Difa
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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